I still do not own Sailor Moon and I still am sad about it. =(
(I want to thank my readers again. This chapter was odd to write. I wanted to throw in enough lighter moments to make it not feel quite so overbearing. I think I added just enough. You'll let me know I'm sure. ^_^ I know I'm focusing a lot on the Outer Senshi and on Mars but the others will come into play as well. This is not going to be a short fic, but I hope its a good one. To think I had wanted to just write the rooftop and letters scenes and now I'm posting chapter ten. Trust me its going somewhere that I think is good. I may not post daily for a couple of days since I have to take care of some things for Yule and Christmas. My hope is that I will at least be able to get the writing in so all I'll need to do is type and edit. For all of you I wish a happy holiday or even just a happy day, and as always I wish you a good read.)
Sometimes You Just Need to Believe Chapter 10
(Rei's Story)
Rei and Michiru sat side-by-side in the Shrine of the Sacred Flame. Rei eagerly awaited Michiru's instructions..
"Rei, I want you to tell me what you learned from your meditations before we begin today's lesson."
"I found my stillness, Michiru-san. Within the quiet there was only the knowledge that to solve this I need as much concentration as possible. My focus must stand firm in this and nothing more."
"Is that something you are prepared to do?"
"I don't mind if my grades slip a little, or if I can't go to Crown with my friends often. I don't even mind not seeing the Starlights, as long as I can help the princess in doing so."
"Good, but I WANT you to spend time with the Starlights. If you could read Usagi's Aura then reading them is one of your primary tasks. I want you to keep tabs on them. For today's lesson, I have selected two subjects. First we will look into Mamoru and Prince Endymion."
Rei closed her eyes and envisioned Mamoru-san standing side-by-side with Prince Endymion. Only when she knew they were two separate people in her mind did she open her eyes to the flame. In front stood Mamoru-san. While Prince Endymion stood behind him like a shadow. Prince Endymion was not exactly like Mamoru-san, but the contrast was not as great as it was between Usagi and Princess Serenity. His figure emitted a sad longing but an uncompromising will. Fear was present as well, but he was not engulfed in it. He appeared to be studying and watching Mamoru more than anything. Rei focused now on Mamoru. Mamoru was emitting freedom and confusion. His confusion was great. It was all about him. Rei took this as her cue to focus more on the confusion. She felt waves of panic about school, work, money, and Usagi. School and Usagi had the strongest pull. Knowing there was more to do, Rei broke her gaze and rested a moment.
"Well?"
"Prince Endymion is a watching shadow who seems to be studying Mamoru-san. They are not really the same, but the difference is nothing like that between Usagi-chan and Princess Serenity. He was not Hostile or angry. I sensed confusion in Mamoru-san so I decided to focus on that."
"A wise choice."
"Thank you, Michiru-san. The confusion in Mamoru-san was threaded all over him. It almost locked him in place. Though, from afar it did not look that bad. Two things are causing the most confusion in him. It was very clear that he is confused about school, and about Usagi."
"Well I suppose he is not worried about the return of Seiya or the alliance idea. He's too kind-hearted. Do you need a moment to prepare yourself or are you ready to face your next subject?"
"I can do it," Rei said firmly. 'I will prove myself. They finally ask for help and I WILL give it freely, and I will give it well.'
"Kou Seiya and Sailor Star Fighter."
Rei was in shock. It must have shown on her face for she could see Michiru's expression. 'I will not be beaten. I will do this.' Rei closed her eyes and focused.
'Good, she won't give up just because the target is more difficult.'
Rei opened her eyes and gazed into the flames. Back to back leaning on one another were Kou Seiya and Sailor Star Fighter. Both were surrounded by overconfidence. No surprises there. A bright light beamed from both figure's hearts. The light felt like Usagi. That too makes sense, only it was not the same as a one-sided love. There was far too little pain in it. There was still sadness, but it was not the same. The two figures were more intertwined than any of her previous subjects. It was more difficult to pick one from the other. They both held jealousy, though Seiya had more than Fighter. Both were very focused. Though nothing seemed out of the ordinary with it, Rei wanted to know what the confidence was about. Her intuition just told her to check. Rei focused in on the confidence. Three words penetrated her mind, alliance, Usagi, and union. Growing weary, Rei broke from her gaze.
Michiru gave her student a moment to regain herself. "I thought you were going to let me down for a moment there."
"Never. Everyone needs me more than ever now."
"Haruka will be pleased to hear that. Now what do you have to tell me about them?"
"Fighter and Seiya are linked closer than anyone else was. They were barely definable as individuals. The two were just as one."
"That's odd. I would have thought they'd be the same. There was only one Fighter you say?"
"Yes."
"Interesting."
"Both were flowing with overconfidence and love of Usagi's warmth. There was still jealousy, but the love did not feel so distant and sad as one would believe for a one-sided love. Three words came to me loud and clear, alliance, Usagi, and union. The words came from both but somehow were louder from Seiya."
"So he is focused on the alliance. That was not a lie. Usagi, well, everyone knows he is head-over-heels in love with her. Union…What kind of union? An alliance is a union. It can also be the kingdoms joining."
"But Michiru-san, doesn't that kind of union usually happen by…"
They both looked each other in the eyes and gasped, "Marriage!"
(Hotaru's Story)
'Michiru-mama had to go see Rei-san today. Haruka-papa had to go out and buy parts for her car. I don't know why she's never happy with it. I like it just fine. I'm all alone in the house with Setsuna-mama. I'm not supposed to tell her where Michiru-mama is. I'm supposed to be studying. Setsuna-mama said I needed to study, "The way you know best." I'm scared. She's standing in the doorway waiting for me.'
"Well, Hotaru, aren't you going to tend to your lessons?"
"Um…ok, Setsuna-mama."
'The poor thing looks so frightened. I know you will not let us down. We fought so hard. You need to be aware when Rei is aware. Not before, or after, but at the same time.'
Hotaru held out her tiny hands and willed the simulation to begin. Her room was filled with the expanding universe after the big bang. Countless galaxies passed by and then one drew nearer and nearer. The Milky Way, shown bright and Hotaru closed in on it.
"Hotaru, do you remember where this is?"
"This is our galaxy, Setsuna-mama."
"That's right. Can you find our solar system?"
"Ok." 'Will Haruka-papa and Michiru-mama be mad at me for this?' Hotaru zeroed in on three solar systems. 'One is ours, but why do I know these other two?' "This is where we are." She pointed to the Earth.
'Please remember it, Hotaru. You know this. What are those other systems' relevance to us?'
Hotaru studied the other two systems carefully. "Of course!" 'Oops.'
"What is it Hotaru-chan?"
'She called me Hotaru-chan again!' "Well, Setusuna-mama, I think that Queen Serenity had great options for a suitor in each of those two systems."
'Yes, child! You are doing great! Remember it just a little more, Hotaru. Please remember it!'
"Serenity settled on a man from this kingdom here." Hotaru pointed directly at Kinmoku.
'That's my girl!'
"That made this kingdom angry though." Hotaru pointed to the other system's lonely planet that was at that perfect distance from it's star.
"Yes, my child. It did make them angry. I think we've had enough studying for now, don't you?"
"Ok, Setsuna-mama."
"Why don't you play for a while."
"I'd like to go outside and read my book, please."
"Yes, but only for a little while, an hour or two at most. You still get sick far too easily."
"Thank you, Setsuna-mama."
Hotaru grabbed a book off the shelf and ran outside. She sat herself down under the tree out in the front yard. She had not even looked at the book she had picked up. She merely sat and pretended to read until Haruka-papa pulled up in her convertible.
No sooner than had she shut the car door, Haruka found the child falling into her.
"Haruka-papa!" Hotaru tightened her grip fearfully.
"What is it, Hotaru-chan?"
"Its Setsuna-mama again."
"Did she hurt you?"
"No." Hotaru shook her head adamantly.
"Get in the car. I'm going to put these parts away and tell Setsuna I'm taking you to get a snack."
"Yeah I get a snack!"
"Of course," Haruka said smiling.
Hotaru obediently climbed into the back seat of the car and fastened her seat belt. She smiled widely when Haruka came back. When they were down the road a little Haruka's cell phone rang. She pulled over briefly to answer it.
"Michiru, what is it," Haruka asked.
"Pick us up at the temple. We'll go to lunch with Rei, our treat." Michiru paused. "Is Hotaru with you?"
"Yes, poor thing is scared to death. I told her I'd get her a treat and she could tell me all about what happened then." Haruka smiled at the little girl in her car. Happily she received a smile in return. "I'm on my way." Haruka hung up her phone and climbed back into her car.
"Haruka-papa, are we going to have lunch?"
"Yes, Hotaru-chan."
The four of them walked into the Crown Parlor in hopes that more of the girls would be about, but sadly they were not. At least they had tried and they had food here.
"So," Haruka said. "What did you find, Rei?"
"Well, Mamoru-san and Prince Endymion are not the same person just as it was with Usagi-chan. With Mamoru the Prince is happy to sit back and act as a shadow studying Mamoru. Mamoru is confused about Usagi lately." Rei paused to make sure she had the words to formulate what she found about to Seiya. "Kou Seiya and Sailor Star Fighter are practically one person."
"What?" Haruka was baffled.
"She also saw that his love for Usagi has not dwindled and he is even confident about it," Michiru said.
"Damn that kitten for being so innocent. She's just going to get herself into trouble," Haruka said.
"He did still have sadness and jealousy there," Rei said.
Haruka loosened up a little bit.
"They both were confused about three things," Rei said as steadily as she could. 'If I can say this and remain calm I might earn Haruka's trust a little more.' "These things are the alliance, Usagi, and a union."
"We think he might be attempting a union between our kingdoms," Michiru said.
"Wait a minute," Haruka fumed. "He is looking for a royal union? Does he think we're blind enough to allow that to happen. He'd better keep his distance."
"No! He can't! I want to see Chibi-Usa again!" Hotaru started crying.
"Hey," Haruka said patting Hotaru's head. We need you to be strong now. Can you tell us what happened with Setsuna?"
"Setsuna-mama made me simulate history again. This time I found our galaxy and kingdom very quickly," Hotaru said as her cries calmed. "The thing is I looked at two neighboring solar systems' kingdoms. Two had wanted royal unions with Queen Serenity but only one could get it. The one that did not was pretty mad, but Setsuna-mama smiled funny when I pointed to the one that did get picked. She said I was right. I didn't want to do it, Haruka-papa, Michiru-mama! She stood over me until I did it. When I was done I was allowed to go outside. I'm so sorry! Please don't be mad at me!" Hotaru fell into Haruka's lap crying.
"We could never be mad at you for this," Haruka said taking the child in her arms.
At that very moment they heard Usagi's voice outside. She was with Seiya. She wasn't even trying to hide it from anyone.
"Damn him," Haruka said.
All four of them looked out and Usagi never even noticed.
"I'm going to follow them. I won't make myself known to them. I just want to follow," Rei said.
"Follow your instincts," Michiru said as Rei walked off.
(Usagi's Story)
Usagi had been awake for a while now. She was fussing over what to wear for her date with Seiya. Luna had been shooting her looks all morning. The first time was when Usagi was up so early. The second time was because she had yet again declined to speak to the cat about whatever concerns she may have. Finally Usagi found a bright pink skirt that fell just above her knees and a matching pink and black sweater style shirt. The sleeves were pink and the front and back were black. The front was covered with words in English but Usagi had never been good at English, or any other studies for that matter, so she had no clue that the shirt said, "Hi I'm trouble. Who are you?"
She set her hair in her usual odango style. Luna was pacing about the room in the most annoying way. Usagi did her best to ignore the cat. As she was putting her earrings in, the phone rang.
'Its Seiya!' Usagi answered it before anyone else had…or so she thought. She heard her mother's voice tripping over it's own words. "Hey mom, I have it now, ok?"
"Oh, ok, Usagi," Ikoku practically whispered as she hung up the phone
"Was that your mom? She sounded a bit flustered," Seiya teased.
Usagi smiled knowing full well that Seiya enjoyed the attention sometimes. "Yeah, she saw the concert and wants me to ask you all over for dinner. Sorry about that. She's a secret fan. I told her you guys don't like to be treated weird when you are invited places. You don't have to do it."
"I'd love to. I'll ask the others. I'm sure they'd say yes."
"Don't force them ok?"
"Of course not. I'm not far from your place. Would you mind if I came by and picked you up.?"
"Sure that's no problem. I'm almost done getting ready."
"See you in a bit, Odango."
Usagi hung up the phone blushing. As she was standing up it dawned on her that she had not heard Serenity stir in her at all. 'I guess she figured out its not all about her after all.' Usagi wished she could just dismiss it but she knew this was far from over.
When Usagi climbed downstairs after grabbing her purse, she found her mother sitting on the sofa. "Hey mom, are you ok?"
"That was…"
"Yes."
"Really was?"
"Yes. We're going to go catch a movie. He said he was nearby so he'd just…"
The doorbell rang.
"Oi, Odango," Seiya called out.
"Coming! Mom, please don't act like this," Usagi pleaded as she opened the door.
In stepped Seiya catching Ikoku completely off guard. "Hello, Mrs. Tsukino. I heard that you enjoy our music," Seiya said reaching his hand out to clasp Ikoku's. His smirk only grew as her cheeks reddened more. "Thank you. We love knowing that such beautiful people can hear our music. I have been informed that you wish to have my brothers and I sit down for dinner with you. I will see if my brothers can come one night this week if it is possible."
Ikoku nodded and in a haze said goodbye to both her daughter and the pop idol.
Usagi could not help but laugh as they walked away from her house.
"What?" Seiya was now laughing too. Playfully they ran their way down the streets. Usagi did not even notice they were passing by the Crown Parlor. Seiya turned and clasped onto Usagi's hands and they danced past the restaurant in ignorant bliss of the faces looking out to them from behind the window.
Neither of them cared what movie they picked. They decided on a simple romantic comedy. Seiya bought popcorn and soda for them and they stepped into the theater and found seats near the back off to the left. The lights came down and as the movie started Seiya placed his arm around Usagi. Usagi leaned into him and reached her hand for his free one.
'This is right. This feels perfect,' Usagi thought as she took in Seiya. His scent and strength warmed her. 'I've never felt like this before.'
'We're too late," Rei thought as she viewed the young lovers. 'Everything will be undone…By this? Why, Usagi?' Unable to find the words to use, Rei ran from the theater all the way home.
After the movie was over, Seiya and Usagi headed for Seiya's apartment to see if they couldn't get the others to come for dinner as well as to pick up Usagi's school things. When they arrived they were greeted by a less than enthusiastic Taiki and Yaten. Yaten was once again in female form sitting beside her brother in a lovely yellow mini sundress.
"Hi everyone!" Usagi noticed that Yaten in particular looked annoyed with something. Taiki looked like he was studying her like a textbook.
"So, Usagi," Taiki said. "Have you discussed our proposal with your senshi?"
"Not in great detail yet. But I have mentioned it," Usagi said honestly.
"Right," Yaten chimed in. "Seiya, why don't we have a word on the patio?"
"Odango, please make yourself at home for a minute. I'll be right back," Seiya said giving his siblings a nasty look.
The Starlights all went out onto the balcony and slid the door shut.
"Now just why exactly are you being so rude to the princess?" Seiya was glaring at his sister.
"We think she's distracting you from our actual mission here," Yaten said flatly.
"You do," Seiya leaned into his sister angrily.
"Yes we do," Taiki added.
"So little you know. I am doing my job perfectly," Seiya said arrogantly.
"Look, maybe you don't understand what's at stake here, but we do," Taiki said angrily.
"No, it's the other way around. Leave me be to do my own job. You two worry about her senshi. Odango is my responsibility," Seiya said.
"Aren't you confusing responsibility with something else, Seiya?" Yaten had placed her hands on her hips and was tapping her foot.
"Look, I don't have time for this. Please just understand that I am not distracted. I need you to trust me on this one," Seiya said seriously.
"For now we'll leave you alone," Taiki said.
"But don't expect us to hide this from Princess Kakyuu either," Yaten added.